Last Will and Testaments relating to the Belcombe Family of York

Will of Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Milne (1779-1827), husband of Henrietta Milne (nee Belcombe), sister of Mariana Percy Belcombe

Last Will and Testament of Lieut. Colonel Alexander Milne

Of the 19 regiment of Foot having being of sound mind and in full vigour of bodily health but being well aware of the uncertainty of lif all human affairs do make this my last will and testament. First, I bequeath to my beloved wife Henrietta Willan the sum of five hundred pounds sterling, now in the hand of her mother, Mrs. Belcombe, the wife of Dr. Belcombe of York/ for which I now receive the interest of five per cent per annum/ to be applied by my said wife at her disposition for the benefit of herself and our five sons. I also bequeath to my said wife Henrietta Willan and to be applied by her as above specified [______] [____] Sum I may be entitled to receive from my late mothers Estate after the final settlement of her affairs/ I also bequeath to my said wife any money, balance of pay or effects I may be possessed at the time of my death to be applied as I have already expressed with the exception of the sword which was presented to me by the officers of the 2^nd battalion of the 1^st Regiment as a token of their respect and regards, which sword I bequeath to the oldest of my sons who may follow the profession of arms either in the Navy or Army and in the event of the demise of him I bequeath it to the next who may be serving as above and each in [____] to [___] it down to the youngest should they but carried off (which God forbid) and failing their being none of them in the Navy or Army then I bequeath it to my eldest son and his sons. As I am possessed of no other property but of what I have stated I bequeath my beloved wife Henrietta Willan and my darling boys to the care and protection of Almighty God and trust to his known kindness of my most generous Sovereign who I hope will be pleased to take into his consideration the wife and children of an old and zealous officer who has little to bequeath to them except an unburnished character. Executed under my hand and seal in the City of [Limerick?] this 27^th day of April 1825.

A.Milne           Lieut.Col 19 Regiment [Signed]

In the [_____] of Alexander Milne Esquire deceased

Appeared personally Donald MacDonald of Wilton Place, Knightsbridge in the County of Middlesex Esquire, Lieutenant Colonel in the Army and Thomas Dobbin of 130 Juniper Street in the same County, Esquire, Lieutenant Colonel in the Army and [____] under oath that they knew and were well acquainted with Alexander Milne late of Demerara in the West Indies, Lieutenant Colonel in His Majesty’s nineteenth Regiment of Foot [_______] years before and to the time of his death and also his manner and character of handwriting and subscription having often seen him write and also subscribe his name and the deponents having now attentively viewed and perused the paper writing hereunto as annexed purporting to be and contain the last will and testament of the said deceased. The said will beginning thus “ I, Lieutenant Alexander Milne of the 19^th Regiment of Foot” ending thus “ Executed under my hand and seal in the City of [Limerick?] this 27^th day of April 1825’ and thus subscribed “A. Mine. Lieut. Col 19Regiment”. They further make oath that they do [______] and is their considered belief this whole [____] or constructs of the said will beginning and ending as aforesaid and the subscription thereunto to be of the proper handwriting and subscription of the said Alexander Milne deceased.

D. MacDonald  , T. Dobbin, Lieutenant Colonel unattached. 25^th day of October 1828.

This said Donald MacDonald Esquire was duly sworn to the truth of this affidavit before me J.S. Pickard [____] ex. pt. George Jenner Not. Pub. 30^th Day of October 1828, the said Thomas Dobbin was duly sworn to the truth of this affidavit before me J.S Pickard [_____]

On the 31^st October 1828 with the will annex of the Goods, Chattel, Credits of Alexander Milne late of Demerara in the West Indies a Lieutenant Colonel in His Majesties nineteenth Regiment of Foot deceased was granted to Henrietta Willan Milne widow, the relict having been first sworn by common duty to [____] pro executor or residuary legate.

Transcribed by S Riocain, Jan 2020

*Alexander Milne died and was buried at Demerara (now Guyana). A Memorial Inscription exists for him at St. George’s Cathedral, Georgetown, Guyana. I include the following transcription: SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF ALEXANDER MILNE, ESQ., LATE LIEUTENANT COLONEL 19th REGIMENT, WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE ON THE 5th OF NOVEMBER, 1827, AGED 46 YEARS, 30 OF WHICH HAD BEEN MOST ZEALOUSLY DEVOTED TO THE SERVICE OF HIS COUNTRY. THIS TABLET HAS BEEN ERECTED BY THE OFFICERS OF THE 19th REGIMENT, AS A MARK OF THEIR SINCERE ESTEEM AND RESPECT, TO THE MEMORY OF THEIR MUCH LAMENTED COMMANDING OFFICER WHOSE REMAINS, BY HIS OWN PARTICULAR DESIRE, ARE INTERRED IN THE MILITARY BURIAL GROUND AT EVE LEARY.

Extracted from the Registry of the Prerogative Court of York

This is the last will and testament of me Mary Anne Belcombe of the City of York, widow, made the thirteenth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight. I give and devise my dwellinghouse with the apportioners situate in Long Room Street Scarborough unto and to the use of my three daughters Sarah Anne Sherson Belcombe, Henrietta Willan Milne and Louisa Meynell Travis Belcombe, their respective heirs and assigns forever in equal shares as tenants in common and not as joint tenants. I give and bequeath all my household furniture also my pianoforte, French clock, [______] china and bronze brooches in the drawing room unto my said daughters Sarah Anne Sherson Belcombe and Henrietta Willan Milne in equal shares. I give and bequeath my plates, linen, books and carriage, also all the china and other articles and goods in and about the dwelling house in which I reside not [_____] before specifically disposed onto my three daughter the said Sarah Anne Sherson Belcombe, Henrietta Willan Milne and Louisa Meynell Travis Belcombe in equal shares.

I give and bequeath to my son Henry Stephens Belcombe the legacy of one hundred and fifty pounds and to my daughter Mariana Percy Lawton one hundred pounds to be respectively paid at the end of twelve months after my decease but without interest. I give and bequeath my two shares in the County Fire Office to my said daughter Sarah Anne Sherson Belcombe, her executors, administrators and assigns. I give, devise and bequeath all my messuages, lands and hereditaments situate at Clifton in the County of York and all other, my real estate not hereinbefore devised and also all the residue and remainder of my personal estate and effects (subject as to my personal estate to the funeral, payment of all my just debts, testaincutary expenses and also of the legacies hereinbefore bequeathed) unto and to the use of my four daughters, the said Sarah Anne Sherson Belcombe, Henrietta Willan Belcombe, Eliza Stibbert Miller and Louisa Meynell Travis Belcombe, their respective heirs, executors, administrators and assigns in equal shares as tenants in common and not as joint tenants and I hereby constitute and appoint my daughter the said Sarah Anne Sherson Belcombe sole executrix of this my will. In Witness whereof I the said Mary Anne Belcombe the testatrix have hereunto set my hand the day and year herein written. M.A. Belcombe

Signed by the said Mary Anne Belcombe the testatrix as and per her last will and testament in the joint presence of us in her presence and in the presence of each other have hereby subscribed their names as witness, this thirteenth day of November one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight.

David Russell, Sol. York

William Muncaster, servant to Mrs. Belcombe

The Will of Mary Anne Belcombe, late of the City of York, widow, deceased was proved at York the second day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty two before the Reverend Michael Hodsall Miller, Clerk Surrogate of the Right Worshipful Granille Harcourt-Vernon Master of Acts Commissary and Keeper General of the Exchequer and Prerogative Court of York lawfully constituted by the oath of Sarah Anne Sherson Belcombe, spinster, the daughter and sole executrix herein named to whom administration was granted of all and singular the goods, chattels and credits of the said deceased she having been first sworn duly to administer.

Joseph Buckle, Deputy Register

Proved in London the 26th October 1842 before the judge by the oath of said Sarah Anne Sherson Belcombe spinster the daughter and sole executrix to whom [____] was granted having been first sworn by a common duty to administer.

Transcribed by S Riocain – Jan 2020.

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Will of Captain Edward Mountford (1713-1772), Royal Navy, father of Mrs. Belcombe (born Mary Anne Mountford) and grandfather of Mariana Percy Belcombe

In the Name of God Amen. I Edward Mountford of park in the parish of Wickham in the County of Southampton Esquire being in good health of body and of sound and disposing mind [____] and [_____] understanding, duly considering the uncertainty of this transitory life do make publish and declare this my will and testament in manner and form following/ that is to say/ First, I will that all my just debts and funeral expenses shall be fully paid and satisfied. And as to for, and covering all such worldly estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me, I hereby dispose thereof as. It follows/ Also I give devise and bequeath all that and those my freehold and copyhold messuages lands tenements [____] and premises with their and every of their rights members and apportioners situate, lying and being within the several parishes of Binham and Hindringham in the County of Norfolk (these copyhold being held in the Manor of Binham and already surrendered to the use of this my last will, I unto my daughter Mary Ann Mountford to hold the said freehold copyhold messuages lands tenements and premises with their apportioners unto my said daughter Mary Ann Mountford and her heirs and assigns forever according to the custom of the said Manor and as to all the rest residue and remainder of my estate both real and personal goods Chattels ready money and securities for money and effects whatsoever and wheresoever and of what nature or kind so ever after payment of all my just debts funeral expenses and all after charges incident to or that shall or may attend the execution of this my will/ to and with the payment of which hereby charge the same and also the said freehold and copyhold premises, I give to my said daughter Mary Ann to be paid and delivered to her at the age of twenty one years or Day of Marriage which shall first happen subject nevertheless herein after mentioned. And I do hereby nominate and appoint Michael Everet Esquire and Jonathan Faulkner of Coldharbour Esquire to be my executors of this my last will and testament and I do hereby devise will and appoint that my said executors and the survivor of them shall have the management, custody, tuition, guardianship and education of my said daughter and of her estate as well, real and personal and of all interest, proceeds and advantages that in shall anywise be made thereof or any part thereof until my daughter shall attain to the said age of twenty one or shall be married with the approbation and good liking of my said executors and my will and meaning is that my said executors during the minority of my said daughter shall give and alter my said daughter out of the estates herein before given and bequeathed to her such maintenance learning and education as my said executors and the survivor of them in his or their discretion shall think fit and my will and meaning further is and I do hereby order and direct that my servant Edmund Sheppard shall be continued in my service and shall have the care and management of the farms, rolled park . Coldharbour, wherein I now live situate at Wickham aforesaid and which I now hold off Mr. Braxburn by lease granteth to me thereof for the term of fourteen years during the remainder of my estate their be the same Edmund Sheppard making up and widening, to my said executors just amount of the rents profits and produce that may arrive or be made thereof and paying to my said executors and the survivors of them the same from time to time and at all times hereafter during my Estate and interest therein when and at the time he shall or may be thereunto required. And I will and direct that my said executors do and shall pay an allow onto the said Edmund Shepard for his service trouble and arrangements of the said farms out of my estate herein before given to my said daughter the yearly sum of sixteen pounds and sixteen shillings by two equal half yearly payments in the year thereof to begin and be made to him at the end of the first calendar six months that shall happen next [morning?] after my demise and so to continue payable to him until my now lease of the said farms is expired and is no longer and in case my said executors should disapprove of his conduct in the arrangement of the said farms or otherwise before the said lease is expired. Then my will and desire I do hereby order and direct that my said executor shall instead and in lieu of the sum of sixteen pounds and sixteen shillings only pay and allow him thus ten pounds and ten shillings a year by two equal half yearly payments in manner and form and during the time and term only as the said sixteen pounds and sixteen shillings herein before mentioned is limited and appointed to be paid to him and no longer the first payment thereof to begin and be made at the end of the first six calendar months as shall first happen next after the said Edmund Sheppard shall be discharged by my executors or the survivor of them from his said service. And lastly it is the true content and meaning of this my will that my said executors or the surviving of them shall be saved harmless and indemnified out of my real and personal estates herein before mentioned of and from all damages and expenses which shall or may happen to them or either of them for by any reason of their taking upon them the execution of this my will and I do hereby revoke disannul make void all former and other will and wills by me at any time heretofore made.

In Witness whereof I have to this my last will and testament contained in two sheets of paper to the first sheet thereof set upon my said hand to the second and last sheet my hand and seal this second day of March in the tenth year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord George the third by the Grace of God of Great Britain France and Ireland, King defender of the Faith and so forth and in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy

Edw^d Mountford         L.S

Signed sealed published and delivered by the said Edward Mountford the testator as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us who have hereby subscribed our names as witnesses thereto in the presence of each other

P Barfoot

Dulcebella Budd

Jo^h Jennings

Codicil to the above will

Moreover I the said Edward Mountford do will and declare that my daughter Mary Ann Mountford shall not after my decease for any time or in any manner reside or be dwelling with anyone of the family or families called or known by the names of Bligh or with anyone that originally did inherit or ever was of the name Bligh (save and except Lieutenant John Bligh now residing at Gosport in the said county of Southampton nor shall she after my decease have it in her power to make and surrender or surrenders of all or any part of my estate or estates goods or chattels so devised to her as in my will above specified to any of the family of the Blighs except Lieutenant John Bligh and my will and meaning is that if my said daughter should disannul or act contrary to my intentions as above then I will and declare that all and every estate goods and chattels so intended to be given to my daughter I give and bequeath to Mary Overman of Binham in the county of Norfolk a supposed natural daughter of mine and the other half I give and bequeath betwixt the children of the said Lieutenant John Bligh to have a half part thereof and the remainder I give and bequeath to Martha Raggett my housekeeper her heirs and assigns forever. And also I give and bequeath onto said Martha Raggett if she shall be abiding at my house at the time of my decease the sum of ten pounds and ten shillings a year to be paid out of my estates so given to my daughter aforesaid to be paid at four quarterly payments free from any deductions whatsoever but if the said Martha Raggett shall not be abiding at my house at the time of my decease I give unto her no more than eight pounds a year during her natural life to be paid at four quarterly payments as aforesaid. And further my will is if any part of all my household goods furniture or effects shall be disposed of I recommend Mr John Murray of Gosport to be the auctioneers and my will is that Martha Raggett shall keep the keys of the whole till all be thoroughly cleared. If the same be committed to sale after my decease and I do declare that this codicil shall be in as full force and virtue as my will hereonto annexed satisfying and confirming all herein contained.

In Witness whereof I have to the codicil contained in two sheets of paper to the first sheet my hand and to this second sheet my had and seal this sixth day of April in the eleventh year of the Reign of George the third by the Grace of God over great Britain and so forth and in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy one

Edward Mountford                             (L.S)

Signed sealed published and declared by the said testator Edward Mountford as a codicil in the presence of us who have subscribed our names as witnesses hereto in his presence and in the presence of each other, this erasure being first commited.

Jos^h Jennings

Hannah Waller

William Raggett

This will was proved at London with a codicil on the thirtieth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy two before the Right Worshipful George Bay Doctor of Laws Master Keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfull constituted by the oaths of Michael Everet and Jonathan Faulkner Esquires the executors named in the same will to whom administration of all and surrender of the goods chattels and [______] of the deceased was granted they haven been first sworn by the Commission duly to administer.

Transcribed by S Riocain – Dec 2019